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Tom C-B's Travels 2006
Just got back from the Whitsundays so hopped on t'internet to share with you the experience...
THURSDAY
After the ludicrously early meet time for our Fraser Island trip, I was anticipating and dreading a repeat performance, but fortunately for us it was set at the far more civilised hour of 12pm, so we had a relaxed morning sleeping in and packing up the bare necessities to take on the boat. We arrived at the marina (via the bottle shop!) just after 12, and piled on at about 1, and the adventure began...
First we went out to Langford's Reef to do a spot of snorkelling, after which afternoon tea was served up and we set off in the direction of the bay where we were going to be mooring up for the night. Once there we cracked open the beers and chatted in a huddle on the deck, waiting in earnest for dinner. Much to everyone's delight, 'sunset nibbles' were produced at about 6:30, providing the perfect appetiser for the main meal - CHICKEN CURRY!! As you can imagine, I was sufficiently happy when the meal was served up, so happy in fact that I went back for 1 and a half more plates before admitting defeat.
After dinner there was more chatting and getting to know eachother before we caught wind of the fact that we were going to be setting sail at 7am the following morning, prompting everyone to retire to their beds with happy hearts and full tummys!
FRIDAY
This was to be our only full day on the boat, so I was more willing to get up at 6:30am than I usually would be. We immediately headed for Whitsunday Island itself, where we did a small bush walk and then hiked down to Whitehaven Beach, apparently voted as the 3rd most beautiful beach in the world. It did not disappoint and we spent an hour there wandering around trying to spot reef sharks and getting in some valuable tanning time! When the hour was up we trekked it back over the island and boarded the boat, where lunch was awaiting us. Tortilla wraps, various meats, and more salad than you could shake a stick at was the fare on offer, and it was graciously accepted by the 20 hungry backpackers aboard the boat. We set sail during lunch, and, by the time we were pulling into our night stop bay, the sun was setting on the horizon. Prompt more beer and sunset nibbles, before meatballs were served up at about 8pm.
Post dinner entertainment was provided by the skipper John, who gave us a talk on the stars and their different constellations, followed by chef Steve-O, who introduced us to possibly one of the most bizarre games ever.
It involved tying a rubber glove filled with water round your waist and, by making thrusting movements with your hips, pushing an orange to the back of the boat - first one to get to the back wins! Now I'm not sure if I had played this game in a previous life, but I managed to get my orange to the back of the boat in only 3 swift hip thrusts, consequently being labelled as the '3-hit wonder'!
With the entertainment over and the temperature slowly dropping, everyone went to bed in one's and two's to rest up for the pre-breakfast snorkel in the morning.
SATURDAY
After a rocky night, only a hardcore few took the opportunity to snorkel at 7am, but it was fun all the same and it certainly woke me up. Breakfast was served on the move again, and we opened the sails for our last voyage back to port in Airlie Beach.
We sauntered back into the marina at 11ish, and disembarked remembering our p's and q's, and with the promise of free beer that night at the bar below our hostel.
We checked into the hostel, collected our bags, and dispersed to attend to various internet duties, which is as far as I have got today. Tonight we are all meeting in the hostel bar for the Ireland vs. Australia Rugby game, then making a night of it with 2-for-1 at a bar called Moroccos, so who knows what might happen...
I'll be sure to include any gossip in my next entry, but right now I need to attend to the gradually worsening laundry situation! Non-stop party!!
Lotsa love
Tom xx
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